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Our Review of the Britax Companion infant car seat
Click here to view a demo of Britax Side-Impact Protection
It was not a surprise when Britax - a company known for their commitment to safety - came out with an infant seat that raises the bar in overall child safety with side impact protection. The Britax Companion infant seat was considered a safety revolution when it came out, and has only gotten better since. Needless to say, the design of the rear-facing Companion Infant Seat is pretty flawless. Plus, the in-car base makes it really easy to transport your child from your car to your house without waking them up.
The key features of the Companion:
- The Enhanced Side Impact Protection head pad has adjustable, air-filled pockets that expand and deflate for a custom fit around your child's head.
- An angle adjuster assists with proper installation in your vehicle.
- The anti-rebound bar significantly reduces movement in the event of an accident.
- Extra bases are available for the multi-car family. (sold separately)
- Compatible with the new Britax Preview stroller - for a complete travel system!
Plus, all of the signature Britax features:
- Built-in locking clips which are easy to reach, operate, and impossible to lose.
- The height adjustable base features LATCH, along with in-base storage for the straps. (The base can be used with or without LATCH)
So why is the Britax Companion so revolutionary? It is the first infant seat to address the issue of side impact safety. Sure, lots of infant seat have headrests and/or contoured support. In most cases, these do little or nothing in the event of a crash. With the Britax Companion Enhanced Side Impact Protection, you are assured of a safer, customized fit. Additionally, the rebound bar, absent on most infant seat models, helps minimizes the rebound trauma in an accident that frequently occurs in rear facing seats.
Please note: the Companion is slightly heavier than other infant car seats. However, the added side impact protection more than makes up for the slight weight increase.
Also: Parents of a baby weighing 7lbs or less can purchase the special Britax Companion Low Birth Weight Foam to provide needed additional support.
Find a stroller to work with this Britax Companion infant car seat
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Did you know? Britax maintains an authorized dealer network which protects you from buying used, illegally imported, or fake Britax Car Seats. In addition, Britax warranty only covers car seats purchased from an authorized retailer. Britax products purchased on eBay or any auction site voids the warranty. |
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- Aqua/Black
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Car seat specs
- Min child weight
- 4 lbs.
- Max child weight
- 22 lbs.
- Max harness weight capacity
- 22 lbs.
- Min child height
- n/a
- Max child height
- 30"
- Max 5-pt harness child height capacity
- 30"
- Installed w/o Base?
- Y
Car seat dimensions
- Seat Base / Foot Width
- 18.5"
- Seat height
- 17.5"
- Interior seat width
- 10.5"
- Interior seat back height
- 17"
- Bottom to lowest harness slot
- 7"
- Bottom to highest harness slot
- 12"
- Seat weight (without base)
- 10 lbs.
- Base weight (without seat)
- 8 lbs.
- Fully adjustable, inflatable headrest for custom fit and side impact protection
- Anti-rebound bar reduces movement in event of crash
- Built-in seat belt lock-off clips
- Premium, tangle-free 5-point harness system with comfy padding
- One-pull harness adjuster with no-tangle webbing
- One-hand multiple recline adjustment
- Extra shoulder room
- Removable, hand-washable fabric cover with belly pad
- Comfort foam and EPS protective foam
- Additional padding is available for premature babies
- Adjustable sun canopy
- Overall carrier (seat+base) weight: 18 lbs
- Weight of seat only: 10 lbs
- Approved for Aircraft use
- Equipped with flexible buckle LATCH system
- Velcro tabs to keep belts aside for boarding
Britax Companion infant car seat Reviews
All Customer Reviews
- Average Rating:
- Highest Rating:
- Lowest Rating:
- Number of Reviews:
- 26
Okay carseat
Reviewer: Elizabeth Mom of 2 Princess , West Babylon, NY
Date: August 22, 2008
I bought this carseat when it fist came out(2006) and used it for my first daughter. I have the same issues as the person from the Netherland. I find the head rest annoying, as it constantly drops down when you are trying to put the baby in it, and yes the straps are either too tight at the shoulders or too loose at the legs, and they also tangle. That handle is sticky and really hard to move. I moved my DD into a Decathalon by 3 months as she was big and it was too heavy for me to carry. Now with DD2 I'm using it again and all the things I disliked about it are coming back. I'm buying DD1a Fronteir and putting DD1 in the Decathalon very soon. I bought this due to it's safety record. Britax should rethink the design of the seat.
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Tricky at first, but worth it
Reviewer: Anonymous , Elkhart, IN
Date: July 23, 2008
This little seat was a tad overwhelming at first, but now that we have been using it for 13 days it is a snap. The bright blue is an added bonus and it looks amazing with the Vigour stroller we also purchased. recommend this seat, just read the instructions and give it a chance.
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Frustrating to Use
Reviewer: Anonymous , Tucson, AZ
Date: May 29, 2008
I can't stand this car seat. I got it because of its reputation for safety, but I have had nothing but trouble with it. I agree with the other reviewers that found the car seat less than user friendly. I have trouble with getting the handle to move forward and backward because the release buttons are sticky and finicky. I have trouble detaching the seat from the base (granted I am short - 5'1" - but the taller reviewer from the Netherlands also had this problem) because the latch is also finicky. Getting the baby into the seat is very challenging because the headrest slips down, the straps are a pain, etc. The baby hates the head support and screams when I put her in it. Other babies we know look so much more comfortable in their Graco car seats - our baby looks like she's been packaged for shipment via UPS or Fed Ex. I am sure the snug fit is part of what makes the car seat so safe, but it is definitely at the expense of comfort for the baby and ease of use for the parents!!
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Shopping for a new carseat
Reviewer: Laura Worker , Hoensbroek, The Netherlands
Date: May 28, 2008
I purchased this carseat after much research on car seat safety. While this car seat is attractive, and seems to be very safe, I have many issues with it. First of all, my son hated this car seat (I thought it was just him) and my new daughter hates it as well. They both scream when put into it and scream for almost the entire car ride. The headrest is annoying whether inflated or not, the buckle presses against my daughter's stomach uncomfortably, the seat never wants to detach from the base and requires much pulling (I am 5'7" and my husband is 6'3" and both of strong build - we both have trouble with it), and the straps don't seem to fit right. When the straps are snug against the shoulders, as they should be, they are too loose around the legs. If they are fitted properly around the legs, they are too tight at the shoulder. Also, trying to get the straps out of the way as well as the headrest while trying to put your child in the seat is a pain and requires someone else to help in order for extreme frustration not to ensue. I would definitely not purchase this carseat again. I am currently reviewing the Chicco Key Fit 30 to replace this seat.
Comments from The Staff:
Hello there,
I am sorry to hear about your poor experience with the Britax Companion. I love Britax car seats, but I will be the first to tell you that I believe their strengths currently lie in convertible and harnessed combination seats and not this infant seat category. It's a good, safe seat in my opinion but I have heard complaints and personally experienced frustration with some of its features. If you're looking for something a bit easier to use and more comfortable for your son or daughter, the Chicco Key Fit 30 is a great choice. I would also suggest looking at the Compass I420 infant seat. It's not a very well known seat but I personally love it and find it easy to use. I have also known this seat to quiet even the fussiest of babies. Good luck in your search and let us know if we can help with in any other way!
Thank you,
Kelly
EliteCarSeats.com
Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician
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Close but no cigar...
Reviewer: Anonymous , Virginia Beach, VA
Date: November 13, 2007
We *almost* love this car seat, yet after five months of use I am still shopping for a different seat. Naturally, we bought it for two important safety features, one which still seems great and the other not so much: the the rebound bar and the inflatable head support. What's not to like about the rebound bar and when will it become standard on all infant seats?? Seems like a must. And yes, we loved the *idea* of the head support, but as many others have written, while it provided great security initially, our daughter began to HATE it around 2 months. She begins to shriek as soon as her head is surrounded by it--I even have it deflated as far as it will go but it does not allow her to move her head from side to side and she just strains against it and tries to crane her head forward to escape it. Not wanting to sacrifice safety, I have been loathe to remove it, but it seems both claustrophobic and annoying. What to do? And man, does anyone else have a problem with the whole headrest slipping down into the seat when you're trying to hold the straps out of the way to put the baby in it? I've nearly lost my mind wrestling the head rest (which is attached to a thin, flimsy piece of fabric that does not hold it in place) and the straps that fall into the seat when I push the headrest back up--having only two hands and a baby in one, it is maddening! I tried holding the head support in place by attaching velcro tape to its back and to the top of the seat--not a bad solution but the tape doesn't adhere very well to the car seat fabric. We also have issues with the handle. The side "buttons" stick horribly so that you have to really work to push them in to release the handle to move it forward or backwards, and it always gets stuck a time or two per rotation. I find it very awkward and difficult. I also find the chest strap holder flimsy--the open part that you slide the strap over bends easily when you tighten the straps, allowing the strap to slip out. A buckle/clasp would be more secure. And to the customer service rep who seemed astonished regarding the other review, believe me, we are using this seat with our third child. We have used multiple infant seats (inlcuding Gracos, Peg Peregos, MaxiCosi, Chicco) in our own cars as well as in the grandparents' cars--we've tried MANY. Britax needs to address the really simple "user" issues. Safety is the most important aspect, but you shouldn't work up a sweat wrestling your car only to have it torture your baby (and your ears and conscience!). We also love the depth of the seat, but it is narrow and again, our baby just seems so uncomfortable--she is often flushed, hot, and sweating when we take her out. Comfort and ease of use are important too!! But do they really have to come with so many tradeoffs? So, because I believe in the safety of this seat, I'm trying hard to stick it out, to manipulate the seat without compromising its integrity (such as the Velcro for the head support) I also use a cotton liner for the body of the seat to reduce our baby's sweating--it seems to help. Should we really have to try this hard to make a $200 seat work for us?
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Looks Awesome!!!
Reviewer: Anonymous , Mesa, AZ
Date: October 22, 2007
I did a lot of research before I bought this carseat. The color is a nice blue-ish/purple/grey that can be used for a boy or girl. Very sturdy. I'm not trilled about the air cushions for the head, seems like it's just cardboard and plastic but I'm planning to get a boppy one that is soft and comfortable.
The carseat is very heavy w/the base attached to it (our little guy hasn't arrived yet so we haven't actually used it). W/o the base it's not too heavy. Handles and straps are easy to adjust. Can't wait to get the stroller to go with it!
I've had lots of people come over and the first thing they say when they see the carseat is how nice it is. So many compliments!
I recommend this car seat to anyone. Would buy again. A+++++
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Safe and sturdy
Reviewer: PenelopeRB , Boulder, CO
Date: September 17, 2007
We've used this seat since July 2006 and now need to move up to a toddler seat/forward facing. The Britax looks and feels so much more secure than others, especially the common Gracos. Our daughter's head and neck are so much better protected in this seat. We've always used a JJ Cole Bundle Me liner as the baby does tend to get hot and sweaty against the seat fabric. With the Bundle Me there is more air flow which minimizes overheating. The seat is a bit heavier than others, but again it just feels so much sturdier. We have the Britax stroller - the combination of the two makes moving around easy.
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Peace of Mind!
Reviewer: Anonymous , Charlotte, NC
Date: July 07, 2007
We ordered this carseat in the Oxford fabric several months in advance of my due date. Well, complications set in and our daughter's first ride home from the hospital at 4lbs, 7 oz, was a relief knowing she was in quite possibly the safest infant carseat out there (and rated for a min. of 4 lbs)! We really bought this for the 22 lb/30 in. limits but at 9 months our daughter is 29 inches tall and we are now ready for the Britax Boulevard. The two biggest features for us were the TSIP that cradles her head unlike any other seat out there and the anti-rebound bar that is not found on competitor models. Yes, we spent a lot of money on this seat plus an additional base but based on its safety features and the fact that infant car seats are the safest car seats for babies under 1, made us choose this over any money saving convertible car seat. I admit car seat costs do add up over time but I do not suggest sacrificing your child's safety over a couple hundred bucks. How much is that precious little life worth to you when there are stupid people out there causing accidents everyday?
Several suggestions regarding this seat though: Make sure you get the lightest fabric available since (like the seats in your car) the darker the fabric the hotter it will get in the Summer. The TSIP pillows DID make our baby retain more heat so make sure the A/C is quite cool during long, hot rides and I recommend sacrificing shade over cool, fresh air circulation when it comes to the canopy. The car seat becomes quite heavy once you add a baby and it makes putting and taking the seat in and out of my 2007 Corolla quite a challenge. Buy a pair of soft, plush harness covers instead of the tiny (and rough) covers that come with the seat. One more thing, this seat fits perfectly in the Baby Trend Snap n Go and also in the Graco Quattro stroller!
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Nice Seat
Reviewer: Liz , Mesa, AZ
Date: June 20, 2007
I bought this seat to go with the Britax Vigour Stroller. The base was very easy to install in my Honda Element. The seat is easy to insert into the base but it was tricky getting it out the first couple of times until I got the hang of it (lack of experience on my part!). The seat is also very easy to use with the Vigour, just pop it in and go! The only downfall is that my 5 month old son is almost at the 22 pound and 30 inch maximums but again, I think I'd have that problem with any infant seat... My son always falls asleep in the seat so I'm assuming it's comfy. I've also received many comments on the cushion thing that protects the head. I really liked having that when he was smaller but now that he's bigger and it's summer in AZ I've removed it. Overall, I'd recommend this seat to my friends.
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